Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Mark
Book: Mark
Chapter: 11
Overview:
Christ's triumphant entry into
Jerusalem.
(1-11) The
Barren
Fig-tree cursed, The
Temple cleansed.
(12-18) Prayer in
Faith.
(19-26) The priests and elders questioned concerning
John the
Baptist.
(27-33)
1-11 Christ's coming into
Jerusalem thus remarkably, shows that
he was not afraid of the power and malice of his enemies. This
would encourage his disciples who were full of fear. Also, that
he was not disquieted at the thoughts of his approaching
sufferings. But all marked his humiliation; and these matters
teach us not to mind high things, but to condescend to those of
low estate. How ill it becomes Christians to take state, when
Christ was
So far from claiming it! They welcomed his person;
Blessed is he that cometh, the "He that should come,"
So often
promised,
So long expected; he comes in the name of the
Lord.
Let him have our best affections; he is a blessed
Saviour, and
brings blessings to us, and blessed be He that sent him. Praises
be to our
God, who is in the highest heavens, over all,
God
blessed for ever.
12-18 Christ looked to find some
Fruit, for the time of
gathering figs, though it was near, was not yet come; but he
found none. He made this
Fig-tree an
Example, not to the trees,
but to the men of that
Generation. It was a figure of the doom
upon the Jewish
Church, to which he came seeking
Fruit, but
found none.
Christ went to the
Temple, and began to reform the
abuses in its courts, to show that when the
Redeemer came to
Zion, it was to turn away ungodliness from
Jacob. The
Scribes
and the chief priests sought, not how they might make their
peace with him, but how they might destroy him. A desperate
attempt, which they could not but fear was fighting against
God.
19-26 The disciples could not think why that
Fig-tree should
So
soon wither away; but all wither who reject
Christ; it
represented the state of the Jewish
Church. We should
Rest in
No
religion that does not make us fruitful in good
Works.
Christ
taught them from hence to pray in
Faith. It may be applied to
that mighty
Faith with which all true Christians are endued, and
which does wonders in spiritual things. It justifies us, and
So
removes mountains of guilt, never to rise up in
Judgment against
us. It purifies the
Heart, and
So removes mountains of
corruption, and makes them
Plain before the
Grace of
God. One
great errand to the
Throne of
Grace is to pray for the
Pardon of
our sins; and care about this ought to be our daily concern.
27-33 Our
Saviour shows how near akin his doctrine and
Baptism
were to those of
John; they had the same design and tendency, to
bring in the
Gospel kingdom. These elders did not deserve to be
taught; for it was
Plain that they contended not for
Truth, but
victory: nor did he need to tell them; for the
Works he did,
told them plainly he had authority from
God; since
No Man could
do the miracles which he did, unless
God were with him.